Welcome to let's blog design, I will be giving you a taste of my current design favourites and all that’s hip and happening. I take my inspiration from the world around me and hope my blog will inspire you to be creative.

Friday, 27 January 2012

Due to its
stunning architecture, beautifully lit streets, and a great metro system, Paris
is one of the best cities to go for a long weekend.

Its Friday 7.45am
and we are on our way to Paris; I end up driving the whole way and although
tired I love driving. Hubby says I am always trying to break the sound barrier (he
is prone to exaggeration at times).

We arrive
Friday mid afternoon after an hour sitting in a jam on the Périphériques and
check into the Ideal Hotel Design which we find is extremely well situated with
the Porte D’Orleans metro just outside its doors; great to get us around Paris
and I love going on the metro abroad.

I
am particular about hotel rooms; we have the choice of reliving the 70's and
feel like James Bond against Doctor No while curling in an egg chair and maybe accept
the mission of discovering Paris! (Which we choose and the egg chair was loved
and tried by all).

Or
Because Design rimes with Audacity; they imagined a room where sensuality
reigns! Perfect for a trip with your loved one, while enjoying a journey in an original
atmosphere... (Ha ha I know who had this one; sorry long story).

Parisians dedicate
hours to appreciate food over casual conversation and bottles of wine so we
feel right at home (well at least I sure did). With a plethora of wonderful
bistros to choose from, it is difficult to choose one although we were sure
they were all superb and luckily a friend recommends a delightful restaurant with
mouth-watering seasonal French dishes which we love.

Parisians
are serious about their culture understandably but unfortunately that’s not why
we were there so I left that to hubby to which he happily attended.

Deciding to
wake up early Saturday after a lovely breakfast with superb coffee, we set off to
Maison & Object excited about all we are about to see. The acquisition of a
Visite Paris ticket proves troublesome with three goes at establishing the
optimum ticket. Each transport official gives a different recommendation. We
plump for an aller-retour to Parc Des Exposition rather than a one day pass.

The M&O
press office was well appointed and it being France the food was excellent. But
less attention was given to the press kits and we hardly had any info at hand on
the exhibitors.

Once we’ve
had our design fix, we head back to the hotel to get ready for our farewell
dinner in Paris. We don’t get our Moules Marinières but we do get amazingly
huge Steak Frites with a good dose of St Emillion.

To find the
best bars and clubs after dark you need to be with a Parisian or a frequent
visitor; be sure to look your best as otherwise you won’t be let in.

Unfortunately
we fit neither criteria and nor do we have time to visit the antiques within
the 7th Arrondissement but let me tell you another trip is already being planned
just for that.

Sunday sees
an improvement in the weather. The grey drizzle has turned into sunshine and
showers. We decide to have one last design fix and to M&O we head along
with hubby who expresses an interest in understanding what designers and
stylists really do. I accompany him as he eats his way around Hall 3 – the tableware
(designer cookery) hall.

By the end of
more visits to Halls 5, 6, 7 & 8 my feet were hurting, my stomach was full
of delicious food and so I was just about ready to head home.

Three days
in a capital filled with culture, beaming with delicious bistros and the one of
the most amazing interiors fair - Maison & Object left us salivating for
more.

Thursday, 19 January 2012

Have you ever
thought of taking a step back from your daily habits, consumer choices and try
to understand their impact on the environment? Are you aware your house is a
major source of pollution?! And did you know one third of the UK’S CO2
emissions are from construction? Scary don’t you think!

How we design and
use our houses has a massive impact on the environment so Interior designers
and architects have an important role in sustainability and energy saving.

Immoderate resource,
energy consumption and CO2 generation are some of the problems we and future
generations are facing which demand immediate attention.

Yes the
industrialized world has largely created most of the problem so they have a
responsibility to come up with solutions but so does it with us. I’m not saying
we all have to have our toilets flush with rainwater, have the walls insulated
with newspapers, the kitchen built from yoghurt pots and the doorbell and shower
their own solar panel. But when designing your home try and remember some of
this. It benefits you, your wallet and the environment.

By 2016 all new
housing has be built to higher carbon neutral standard or preferably to Sustainable
Homes’ code “Level 6”; the house would be designed so it needs no space heating
or cooling (known as the passivhaus standard), plus there has to be a balance
between residual energy use such as water heating, lighting, appliances and ambient
energy generated on site i.e. photovoltaic panels or wind turbines.

The above thermal image shows heat loss from a Passive House (right) compared to a traditional house (left)

For a successful
design to meet the passivhaus standard there must be:

·Incorporation
of available thermal mass i.e. in dense floor and internal wall materials to
absorb and even out heat gains.

·Designs
for effective control of internal and external heat gains i.e. passive solar
design, heat reclaim ventilation and so on.

The code will also
call for environmentally friendly kitchen materials including glass and metal
instead of plastic, forest service-certified wood and chemical-free glues. Indeed
these materials often cost more although the long-term results are certainly worth
it.

While the code
sets a requirement to design buildings to a higher standard we are struggling
with the legacy of the poor environmental standards of older buildings. Short
of introducing a home scrappage scheme or insisting enhancements and
alterations to existing buildings meet the new code there is little that can be
done to improve the environmental footprint of the building stock. It is a gradual process.

We have a huge
opportunity to improve the environment and our future just by applying these
high standards when doing a home refurbishment or new build - so be green,
enjoy building but most of all be creative.

Sunday, 8 January 2012

While in Lisbon for Christmas I found
out my cousin is having a baby and yes I did what silly people do at times – I
thought she had put on weight and refrained from saying anything. Later while
having a meal I asked why she wasn’t drinking wine (don’t get me wrong, we are
not alcoholics). And yes I got a scolding for not noticing…Oops a daisy!

Well I started thinking about the
nursery and all she has to get ready.Not easy then…! Having to deal with the pregnancy, baby clothes and at
the same time prepare the little haven.

Stuck for ideas and need some
inspiration! Here are a few tips to help create a comfortable, simple and
stylish baby room.

Furniture & storage:

Cots with removable sides are ideal;
they can be transformed into a toddler’s bed as your child grows. Buy a unit
that has a removable changing mat with shelf space underneath; it can still be
used for storage once your baby has grown. Also wheelie baskets are an ideal
solution for stowing toys as you can easily move them from one room to the
next.

A baby bouncer is also a great way to
keep your child entertained, get rid of excess energy and it will give you a
bit of free time - if you are lucky.

A rocking horse is great to help your
child develop balance; choose the ones with a safety rail designed for younger
children.

Walls:

Go neutral; it will be easier and
cheaper for you in the long term. You won’t have to redecorate when it is time
to move. Neutral, pastel and muted colour schemes work best as the nursery is a
place for rest, so it is important to create a serene environment.

Use alphabet and number wall
stickers; great to liven up a nursery while creating a stimulating learning
environment.

Textiles & accessories:

Choose nursery bedding, curtains and
rugs. If your walls are in a neutral colour this is where you can splash some
colour. Or choose accessories in bright colours to accent the room.

A baby play mat or soft rug is a must
as it is more comfortable; they spend most of their time on all fours. The
choice is endless so it will be easy finding something to suit your décor.

Lighting:

Every nursery needs a night light; a
night light will help your child sleep better, without having problems with the
darkness.

Decorating the nursery safely:

-If you house is older than 1965 then
you must be careful since the paint used to decorate will contain lead; this
can be dangerous when inhaled, even when dried. Don’t go scraping off any paint
which could be hidden a couple of coats down, hire someone to do the job.

-Also beware that even today’s paints
can be toxic to newborns and people with allergies; chose a paint that is low
in, or free from, VOC (volatile organic compounds). Any paint for safety should
be dry for at least three months before moving your baby into the room and the
same with a newly laid carpet.

-Every power outlet needs to be
protected against baby usage. These gadgets can be found in every store that is
selling electric devices plus they are easy to install.

-The bed must be placed in a place
where nothing can fall on in, i.e. away from shelves.

Do keep this in mind and you will
have an amazing, stylish and safe nursery for your little one to arrive to.

And finally if you are looking for some cool gadgets then check this out!

Sunday, 1 January 2012

The kitchen was the hub of my family's life;
where my parents, my sisters and I cooked together in the kitchen, sharing
family recipes and where secrets were passed from one generation to the next.
The food we served was extremely important as was the ambience of the kitchen; colour
played a vital role in achieving a setting that encouraged storytelling. To help
you with your colour selection I will be giving you a few tips.

Bright colours give you energy and dark
tones are intimate and cosy. Neutral earthy tones are calming and soothing and
will make your décor and appliances the central focus. Depending on the chosen
colour your room will either be enhanced or appear smaller.

Always buy a small tin of paint and
experiment; paint a poster board in the chosen colour to see if you like it and
can live with it before you buy gallons.

White - Well you know you can’t go wrong with white and, in fact, a white
kitchen can be warm or it can be cool depending on the shade of white you have
chosen and the lighting - the type of lights you use will impact the colour on
your walls and cabinets. There is so much more to white then meets the eye; you
have different hues, tones, tints, intensities and all will determine the
outcome. Coupled with warm coloured accessories, soft furnishings, wooden surfaces
and plants will soften the look.

Red – An energizing colour which will make people talk, eat more and
stay longer. Red is the colour of confidence and passion. Reds come in all
kinds of shades and tones, including Indian reds, spicy reds, burgundy, terra
cotta, pure reds and so on.

Pink
- Go retro and break all the rules; apply a splash
of hot pink on your kitchen walls or cabinets. You are sure to get comments,
you are making a statement. If you can live with this colour then go ahead.

Orange – It is a great colour and known to stimulate the appetite so not a
great choice if you’re trying to lose weight. The colour orange is frequently
associated with food and makes people feel comfortable and at ease.

Black
and white – Great for a sleek and contemporary look
and add some stainless steel appliances to finish the look. For some it might
be too stark but for others that love the minimal style this is ideal.

Blue
and white - Blue is a wonderful colour to use as an
accent to white. Display porcelain such as Wedgewood blue or Delft for a great
look. For a warmer look add red and green for a cooler look.

Yellow - Yellow is always a great colour for a kitchen because it is sunny,
cheerful and will make a small kitchen look bigger. However pick your shade
carefully, consider how much natural light is in the kitchen and how this will
impact the colour on your walls; this is something you need to consider
regardless of the colour paint you choose.

Grey - A good colour to use with stainless steel is grey; these appliances
give your kitchen a contemporary look, although they can be incorporated
successfully into any kitchen style. The colour grey looks elegant and chic,
particularly when paired with shiny metals, copper and stainless steel. Again grey
goes really well with warm colours such has burgundy.

Neutrals - When you use neutral colours on your walls you will focus on
other objects such as your countertops, cabinets and back splashes. Insert
colour in your chair cushions and other accessories if you want to add some
colour. Granite counter tops, porcelain or stainless steel sinks and dark or
light wood cabinets will all look amazing in a neutral kitchen.

Statistics reveal we now spend more waking
hours in our kitchens than any other room. You best start painting.

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact ana@aguilarinteriors.com.

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. If I claim or appear to be an expert on a certain topic or product or service area, will only endorse products or services that I believe, based on my expertise and that are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. If I do sponsored or paid posts,they will be clearly marked.